By Maureen Werther
Maxwell Property Management has donated $5,000 to Shelters of Saratoga (SOS) and Code Blue.
Maxwell Herrick, owner of Maxwell Property Management, and his office administrator, Cherrie Van Derburg, decided to do something to give back to the community as part of Maxwell’s year-long 25th anniversary celebration.
The previous fall, they committed to donating 10 percent of all new broker’s commissions.
The company provides consulting services and works with owners and their attorneys to convert properties into valuable investments for clients. Maxwell Property also manages multi-unit properties and turns “distressed” units into attractive rentals. They average about 300 leases per year.
“We act as the firewall between the landlord and the tenant,” said Herrick, adding that he represents landlord’s interests and manages properties “the way I would my own.”
“We’re all about housing. What better way to show our support of the community than to give back to an organization like SOS? This is our clear support of the Code Blue project and its future,” he said.
Herrick said the money will go directly to help the Code Blue program, which provides shelter to the homeless when temperatures drop to freezing.
The year-long philanthropic initiative was the result of conversations between Herrick and his long-time office manager, Cherrie Van Derburg, whom Herrick calls the “real boss” of the business.
Herrick said Van Derburg organized the entire initiative, including the formal presentation of a check to Deputy Mayor Meg Kelly and staff of SOS and Code Blue. Van Derburg said the donation is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to give back to the community. She said they plan similar initiatives for the future.
“We are very excited about this,” said Herrick.
Cheryl Murphy Parent, director of Code Blue, said the donation helps them to “keep doing what we do, which is to save lives.” She said the money will go toward supplies, food and other necessities that are always needed by the Code Blue team and the people they serve.